Principal Estates Surveyor, Disposals
Job Description
About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: Principal Estates Surveyor - Disposals opportunity
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
The Canal & River Trust’s Estates Team manages a diverse portfolio of waterside properties—such as historic warehouses, cottages, offices, industrial sites and open land - ensuring these assets generate vital commercial income that is reinvested back into maintaining and improving 2,000 miles of canals and rivers.
We now have a fantastic opportunity to join as a Principal Estates Surveyor, focusing on property disposals. In this role you will manage a significant caseload of surplus property disposals ranging from residential, commercial, operational, land & boating property units.
Estates Surveyors focus on growing and protecting the Trust’s income, developing both existing and new revenue streams with the goal of increasing income above inflation over the next decade. They bring specialist expertise to managing the Trust’s operational and commercial estate, handling the legal, technical and property‑related matters that support income generation and safeguard the organisation’s assets.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The vacancy will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required. Regular travel across our network will be required. See here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers
Relevant Hubs: Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester.
A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
Role Overview
You will regularly instigate, promote, and undertake activities and transactions, primarily property disposals that drive the financial performance of the Investment Directorate and play a key role in achieving, and where possible exceeding, the financial targets set.
Key responsibilities:
- Manage and motivate a team of 4 Surveyors & 1 Property Administrator to deliver a significant programme of legacy property disposals comprising residential, commercial, land and boating uses.
- Provide estates expertise to the wider business on operational matters such as ownership enquiries, boundary disputes, third party access requirements, encroachments and garden licences.
- Lead in the preparation of the Trust’s annual legacy disposals Business Plan having regard to the Trust’s key requirement of improving its net return from this business area.
- Ensure the legacy disposals programme complies with the Trust’s legal requirements under the Charities Act and accord with the Trust’s environmental, operational and heritage requirements.
- Working on your own initiative, personally deliver a caseload of complex high value disposals.
- Lead, coach, motivate and develop a committed team, supporting professional growth and development where appropriate.
About You
You’re someone who thrives working independently, using your own initiative to manage a busy and varied workload with strong attention to detail. You’re highly organised, able to plan and deliver multiple property disposals with minimal supervision, and confident travelling extensively to inspect sites. With a commercial mindset, you know how to drive transactions through to completion, and you work collaboratively and professionally with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders to get the best results.
Skills & Qualifications
Technical Skills
- Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent.
- Membership of relevant professional body at an appropriate level e.g. RICS qualification essential.
- Working knowledge of property valuation principles including key RICS Valuation Standards.
- Proven ability to analyse, structure and deliver complex, high‑value commercial property transactions within strict timescales.
- Strong technical estate management expertise, including preparing and analysing cash‑flow models.
- Ability to interpret, prepare and oversee complex legal documentation.
- Experience managing and overseeing a diverse range of external professional advisers, such as valuers, chartered surveyors and lawyers.
General Skills
- A self‑starter able to deliver challenging financial outcomes to tight deadlines.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, effective across all organisational levels.
- Well‑developed negotiation, influencing and project management skills.
- Ability to lead, manage and motivate an in‑house team of property professionals.
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
In addition to your annual base salary of c.£55,000, we also offer Car Cash Allowance (£450 per month), a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.
Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
#INDHP
Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us